The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Saskatchewan's parks are receiving an additional $5.2 million boost for capital projects and other improvements in 2009-10. "Parks are sources of pride for Saskatchewan residents and represent some of our most visited and popular tourism destinations," Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Christine Tell said. "We are committed to improving the infrastructure within our park system to make them even more welcoming and user-friendly." Over the next several years, the government plans to renew infrastructure within provincial parks including replacing or renovating service centres (washroom/shower facilities), boat launches, picnic shelters, park entry and campground kiosks, and picnic tables and barbecues. This year an additional $2.2 million was earmarked for capital improvements in the parks. These include service centre upgrades in Moose Mountain and Candle Lake provincial parks; new kiosks at Emma Lake Recreation Site; completion of a new water control structure at Narrow Hills Provincial Park; and bridge replacement at Greenwater Lake Provincial Park. Government is also continuing work on its commitment to electrify 1,000 campsites over four years. Another 200 to 300 campsites will be electrified this year, including ones at Meadow Lake, Buffalo Pound and Saskatchewan Landing provincial parks. "This brings the parks capital budget for 2009-10 to $10.9 million," Tell said. "That is more than four times what the parks capital budget was a few short years ago." Regional parks are an essential part of the province's park system, and funding to them is increasing by $415,000 to more than $1 million to assist them in offering a wide range of outdoor recreational services and facilities.
